You don't want to sponsor mishaps, do you?

This unfortunate message came from a real university mailbox — from a hacked student account. That helped it get through spam filters. I enjoyed the line where the spammer took "pains" to find me through a "random web search."

Humor value aside, this is a scam, pure and simple. Don't be fooled, don't reply, to any message like this.

From: "Charters, Ann"
Date: January 15, 2010 2:18:21 PM PST
Subject: Confidential Business Proposal

Dear Prospective Partner,

My name is Avans Kilmberry, I trained and work as an external auditor for Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) in the Kingdom Of Bahrain, working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Middle East region. I had taken pains to find your contact through a random web search using the deceased name.

On routine audit check last year, I discovered some investment accounts that had been dormant for at least twelve years. All the accounts belong to a single/one account holder with monies totalling a little above Twenty Seven Million, One hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars ($27,150,000 USD). Now banking regulation/legislation in Bahrain demand that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time span of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the Kingdom Of Bahrain Monetary Regulatory bodies.

The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and proposing to you. My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor, an American had died in 1997 which was the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died intestate and no next -of -kin to his estate has been found or has come forward during the past years.

I am of a settled conviction that using my insider leverage, I, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it to pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of Bahrain (who might likely use it to sponsor their religion Mishap/terrorism). This is especially possible as you bear part of the NAME of the said investor. This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation. I am seized with all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to an account to be nominated by you. Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction as the people I am working with are prepared to allocate a 45% slice of the total funds for your efforts.

I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Rest assured that I am on top of the situation all the time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.

I do expect your prompt response.

Truly,
Avans Kilmberry
avanskilmberry@live.com